Open House

My Christmas open house has gotten net play on other people's blogs. I'm flattered, to say the least.

Check these out...

http://blueblix.blogspot.com/

http://thelope.blogspot.com/

A Lovely Sunday

I stayed in bed until late morning, which is very unusual for me. I woke up but stayed in bed reading for awhile.

I didn't have anything time specific on my agenda today and that was a lovely feeling. Of course there were things I wanted to do and needed to do, but nothing time specific.

I spent a large part of the day puttering around the house, organizing things for Christmas, making sure I have all the gifts bought and wrapped and organized. I have not put the ornaments on the packages yet so I'm still doing that. I also got the ribbons on all of them. I've had a hard time deciding what color of ribbon to go with this year.

Greg and I went to Skaets for a burger tonight and Terry joined us to keep us company. Tonight was the first time I've been out on the roads since the snow.

I'm having the hatters over tomorrow night but I have the cooking already done for that.So, I'll just have to tidy up the house a bit when I first get up in the morning and I'll be ready.

I have a ton of work things to do tomorrow so it's going to be a busy day. Tuesday I'm cooking for my board so I have to cram a lot into tomorrow.

Cards Out - Shocks In

I'm guessing we're all busy with holiday preparations. I know I'm behind on a few things and Christmas is one week away. I did get the last of my cards out the door today. I have to get the ones out that are local, with party invites, early - and if I don't get them all done at the same time I can get lax about the others. And I sometimes do.

The past week has been busy for me. I've had something every night and just didn't get the rest of them out but fortunately, they're on their way now.

It is snowy here, with travel advisories. The TV is running constant crawls about cancelled activities. I had invited my Altrusa group over tonight but only a few showed up - for the obvious reasons. Just can't be helped. No way to know what the weather will be, but those older ladies are not going to go out and drive in this.

I cooked today and puttered around the house. I don't have a party tomorrow, and I'm glad. I think I need a day of not having a schedule. I have some writing I need to do but hopefully that will go smoothly.

The weirdest thing today was when I reached for the dryer handle and got shocked. I don't know what the deal is there, but obviously have to figure that out. I just wanted some freaking dry socks. Obviously, there's a problem. I'm not sure who to call about it since I don't know what the problem is. Seems there's always something.

Dinner With Friends

I invited Sondra and Greg over for dinner tonight. Sondra cooks for me and I wanted to return the favor, and I wanted to have her over to share the Christmas season.

Not too long before dinner Terry called to see if Greg wanted to go to Anchor. When Greg told me I suggested he invite Terry over, too. Terry and Sondra hadn't met before, but it was nice.

I made a spinach salad with toasted pine nuts and grilled portobello mushrooms. I served it with a Bertolli Balsamico dressing and it was really good.

I also made my favorite chicken breasts, cooked in soy sauce, garlic, vinegar and honey, along with green bean almondine, corn and mashed potatoes and gravy. I also served Brookville cole slaw, compliments of my friend, Molly. We had our CHICKS gathering last night and she brought it to share. I was planning to make coleslaw and that made me think about making Brookville's version. She very generously offered me what she had and that was all I needed.

After dinner we went into the living room and had tea and coffee. I made Oatmeal cake, because it's one of Sondra's favorites. I sent some home with her and with Terry.

The last few days have been full of gatherings.

On Wednesday night I had the Creative Sisterhood group over. Teresa couldn't come but everyone else was here. It was an exceptional night. Very, very cool.

I shared about my podcasting ventures. I've been picked up by Podcasters News Network, so hopefully that will work out well.

Last night was our Christmas gathering for CHICKS. That's always a fun night. There were only eight of us there last night but it was good.


It was a spur of the moment decision to cook dinner for tonight but I'm glad I did. I rarely cook "real" food - I just like to bake - but it's good to do it every once in awhile.

Tomorrow I will get up early and begin baking. My Altrusa group is coming over tomorrow evening so I will bake all day tomorrow.

Well, it's time for me to hit the sack. I've been getting up very early and going to bed very late. It seems that tonight I'm actually tired a little sooner than normal so maybe it has caught up with me a bit.

The Eyes Have It

Greg took some head shots of me tonight for a project I'm working on. I couldn't resist playing with them.

We thought maybe I should make the catch light into a Christmas bulb or a bell shape.

Accordians

Tonight was Altrusa and there was entertainment - six women playing Christmas carols on accordians. It may sound weird - OK, it was a bit weird - but it was fun. We also did an ornament exchange. I got a cute little snowman I really like.

Also, one of the ladies who was here Saturday night brought me an ornament she bought in Russia. I'm so thrilled with it. I tickled to have it on the tree. I so love ornaments and this is a really special one.

I spent the day working on MHA projects. I woke up really early this morning and started working on something I've put off for months. It took me a long time to get it done but it is out the door and I am tickled by that.

Tomorrow night is Creative Sisterhood. I'm not sure what I'm going to make for it yet but will probably get up early in the morning and do that before the work day starts. I've got a busy day tomorrow.

Plumbers and Friends

My day started with an early morning call from the plumber saying he could come at 10 this morning if I could be here. Fortunately, I didn't have anything time specific until 11:30 so that worked out well. The leak was a simple problem so that was a bonus.

I had lunch with Leah. It was good to see her. I don't get to see her nearly often enough.

I spent the whole work day doing paper kinds of things - it's the season for that. I can spend Dec., Jan. and Feb. on the computer it seems.

This afternoon it got up over 50 degrees so the guy came and did some touch up work on the outside of the house. It's supposed to be nice tomorrow too, so I'm hoping he can get more done. We'll see.

Tonight Trish invited Teresa and me over for dinner. It was a wonderful supper. Then we talked until after 10:30. There's something special about being in someone's home. I'm always honored by such an invitation.

Party Photos

I promised I would get more photos up and there will be yet more coming, but I wanted to get up at least a few more today.

I've had multiple requests for ornament close ups. I will take some more, but here is one that Greg took last night of a little baby Jesus that I always nestle into the tree.

It's not really an ornament, but I bought it in Rome years ago, with the idea of using it as one and it has been on every tree I've done since then.

Father Christmas even popped by. Gary is the husband of my board president and it has been a delight to get to know both of them. Peggy is just wonderful and they are both always willing to help with anything.

Gary is such a charmer - everyone who meets him falls in love with him. I'm always trying to send him baked goodies and Peggy is always telling me to stop feeding him. They're both wonderful people.

Somehow we managed to not get a good photo of Peggy last night. Of course, when Father Christmas arrived later in the evening, he was the hit of the party and we all wanted our photos taken with him. It must be hard being a celebrity.

Mia was a big help yesterday, as were Greg and Mark. Greg even vacuumed. And, if his mother happens to be reading this - yes - there is photographic evidence of it. Mark worked so hard. He was quite the trooper.

It's always more work than you expect to throw a party, but it's so worth it.

We got tickled last night and just could not stop laughing. Left to right is Andrea, Diana, me and Teresa.

I will share more photos in the coming days, but I'm ready to call it a night. I went to bed about 4 a.m. and got up about 9, so I'm ready to go to sleep.


We went to see a Christmas play this afternoon and that was a festive addition to the day. Otherwise, I've just enjoyed the day. Last night was so much fun that today has just been a lovely continuation of the event.

Tomorrow night Trish is having Teresa and me over to dinner and I'm really looking forward to that. It's so rare to be invited to someone's home for dinner, and always a treat.

Christmas Open House

Tonight was my annual open house and it was a really fun evening. Greg took tons of pix and I'll post more but thought I'd just pop up one shot tonight.

There were about 40 people I'd guess. I served baked goods of various sorts. We laughed a lot.

It's always good to connect with people.

I will write more and post more pix, but it's almost 3 a.m. and I've been awake since about 8 a.m. so I need to get some sleep.

Father Christmas even made an appearance!

Jesse's First Time

Well, I've been fortunate a few times in my life to be someone's "first" for one thing or another. Tonight was something I never expected.

(And it couldn't have been more innocent so get your mind out of the gutter.)

Mark is down for my party tomorrow and he and Jesse went out to dinner then came by to help me with things. I was cooking and offered Jesse the spatula from the cheesecake to lick.

Much to my surprise, he told me it was the first time he had ever licked the bowl/spoon/spatula.

I was so surprised I mixed up something else, partially so Jesse could lick the bowl.

I had no idea I would ever get to be this "first" in someone's life without giving birth. Life is full of surprises.

Art of Gracious Living Podcast #4

I'm busy preparing for a holiday get together happening in about 24 hours. Always at this time in the process I start to question my own sanity at doing such a thing. But, come tomorrow night this time I'll be glad I did.

Click here to listen to the Art of Gracious Living Podcast #4

Screenings and Magazines

We had a screening this afternoon. We had someone come in who was suicidal and we were able to get them help. I'm touched to be a tiny part of this process.

After the screening, Julie, Greg and I went to Skaets for a burger. Then they both came over to my house. Julie helped me decorate more on the tree. I think I have one more box of ornaments and then I'll do icicles and it's done. I will try to take some photos and post them.

I got the magazine today that I wrote the article on Food Traditions for. Greg's photos look nice.

I'm now trying to convince myself to drag the trash dumpster out to the back alley. It's 5 degrees here and the ground is covered with snow. I do NOT want to go outside. I was thinking about waiting until in the morning but it's going to be 3 degrees at 8 a.m. So, I either have to keep it another week or get my butt out there.

At times like this I really miss having a man in my life.

Merry Little Christmas

Today was one of those days when I'm so very thankful that I can work from home sometimes. Because today was a day when I wanted to do that. It was frigid all day. It's 4 now. It has snowed almost all day. It's just been a generally unpleasant day to be out and about.

I was supposed to go to the diversity luncheon today but didn't. I spent that time dragging up more boxes of Christmas stuff from the basement and making myself homemade pizza.

Tonight I decorated and made some real progress. I finished the lights on the tree early this morning and started decorating it. Then I did some more tonight.

At one point I snapped a photo of the various boxes of lights I had unpackaged to add to the tree. I buy a supply every year when they get cheap so I'm prepared for the next year. I have almost depleted my supply this year. I went a little crazy with the lights.

People are always asking me how many lights. A few years ago I stopped telling people because they're either one - shocked. Or, two - shocked and disapproving. I just stopped telling people how many - then I don't have to deal with it. This year is my best one ever, I think. I was glad I had a stash of lights from which to draw. I just say there are "thousands" of lights. That's accurate. And vague.

There was an accident on the corner about 5:30 tonight. I heard it and went out on the porch and looked. I'm not sure what happened but there were police vehicles there for more than an hour afterwards. I never saw an ambulance, but there were flashing red and blue lights for a long time. I walked out onto the porch, but that was as far out of the house as I got today.

I truly am thankful I can work from home. This time of year I've got a ton of paper/computer things to do and I generally do those on my home computer anyway as the work computer can't handle too many things. So, I had a productive day without having to go outside.

Greg got home tonight and I'm so glad he's back safe and sound.

It's rare I'm interested in something on television but I wanted to see the White House Christmas special on HGTV tonight. I was a little disappointed in it. The plan this year was to use all natural things - lots of fruit and fresh flowers. I guess I'm old fashioned. I like my red and green and glitter and glow. The other stuff is fine as additions, but I need my basic Santa and tree contingent covered this time of year.

I took some video of the tree with the lights on today - before I started putting ornaments on. I had planned to post it but I'm not sure what format to use and how to get the .mov file my camera took it in into whatever is useful. I found a tool to convert it into an .avi file but those seem really large. Oh well, maybe I'll figure it out.

I have done a couple more podcasts. Those are easy for me since I can just adlib them, and they seem to be striking a cord with some people, so that's good.

Well, time for bed for me. We have a screening tomorrow and I have a lot of things to do before then.

Art of Gracious Living Podcast #3

I love Christmas and one of my favorite parts of it is putting the ornaments on the tree. I have some I've picked up on trips and also ones people have given me. I treasure them as they're tangible reminders of the relationships I'm blessed to have.

Listen to Art of Gracious Living Podcast #3

Snow!

It's a blamy 7 degrees at 4:06 a.m. And we have snow... not a dusting but enough to cover the ground.

I looked outside the second I woke up. I decided to just stay up. I think I'll put some pumpkin bread in the oven, turn on some Christmas carols until Morning Edition comes on, and work on the tree.

Last allied veteran of the Christmas Truce in WW1 Dead

Reuters reported on Monday, November 21, 2005
in a story by Peter Graff

The last known surviving allied veteran of the Christmas Truce that saw German and British soldiers shake hands between the trenches in World War One died Monday at 109, his parish priest said.

Alfred Anderson was the oldest man in Scotland and the last known surviving Scottish veteran of the war.

"I remember the silence, the eerie sound of silence," he was quoted as saying in the Observer newspaper last year, describing the day-long Christmas Truce of 1914, which began spontaneously when German soldiers sang carols in the trenches, and British soldiers responded in English.

"All I'd heard for two months in the trenches was the hissing, cracking and whining of bullets in flight, machinegun fire and distant German voices.

But there was a dead silence that morning across the land as far as you could see.
"We shouted 'Merry Christmas' even though nobody felt merry. The silence ended early in the afternoon and the killing started again."

Troops in the trenches swapped cigarettes, uniform buttons and addresses and even played football in one of the most extraordinary episodes of the war.

Parish priest Neil Gardner of Anderson's Alyth Parish Church in Scotland said he had died in his sleep and was survived by a large family, including 18 great grandchildren and two great great grandchildren.

"He was a wonderful old man: he was gracious, gentle, he had a great sense of humor and a fine sense of wisdom from his experience spanning three centuries," said Gardner, who also served as chaplain to Anderson's regiment, the Black Watch.

Anderson also served briefly as a member of the household staff of Queen Elizabeth's uncle, Fergus Bowes-Lyon.

With Anderson's death, fewer than 10 British veterans of the war remain alive, of whom only three or four were veterans of trench warfare on the Western Front.

Attention has turned to the last survivors in recent weeks, with filmmakers bringing out documentaries in time for this month's Armistice Day holiday, marking the day the guns fell silent on November 11, 1918.

Don't Get Creative With My Christmas Carols

I've been playing Christmas Carols tonight while I work on things around the house. I have a few CDs that I haven't listened to before. I popped in one and they were doing something I hate - getting creative with old standards.

People - DON'T do that. We just want to hear the pretty song, the way we remember singing it during the nativity play as a kid, we don't want your interpretation.

If you want to interpret something, write it first. Otherwise, just stick to the script. Don't go trying to get fancy. We just want to hear "Away in a Manger" just the way we sang it when we were 10, only we want you to do it pretty. That's why we bought your CD.

OK, if you're Aretha, you can get creative. Otherwise, just stick to the basics.

The Life I Want to Live

Today at lunch this came up in conversation with Trish and I hadn't thought about it in ages. It came up because I was talking about how regardless of what a mess things are in in my world, I always know where my passport is - as if I'm going to need it at the office tomorrow here in the middle of the United States.

I told Trish about reading an Alexandra Stoddard book some years ago - before I even owned a passport - and she was saying that you should never keep your passport in a safety deposit box. Instead, you should always keep it in your home because if someone invited you to leave the country over the weekend on the spur of the moment you wouldn't be able to get your passport.

That stuck with me. I think because it told me the kind of life I wanted to be living - the one where I needed to always have my passport at hand - just in case I needed it for a quick trip to a foreign land.

In the "fake it till you make it" category, I always know where my passport is. So, I'm ready when this spur of the moment invitation arrives.

Droopy Day

I've been a little droopy today. I had a little "episode" overnight so didn't get much sleep. I was exhausted when I got up.

I was thinking about what to have for lunch - thinking I needed some protein and iron - when Trish called and asked if I wanted to go to lunch. I said, "sure" and did feel better after I ate.

Fortunately, I didn't have anything critical for work today as I didn't feel very good. I slept for awhile and did feel better when I got up.

Tonight I've gotten a little bit more done on the tree. I'm approaching having it all together. Well, aside from the few thousand ornaments. But, I love that part.

I do not enjoy the assembly and lights part, but the lights are what make the tree so beautiful. I've only got two more rows and the topper and it will be all together. Then tomorrow I can start the ornaments.

I have a busy, busy, busy work day tomorrow, but hopefully I'll feel like working on it tomorrow night.

I love getting out the ornaments and remembering the stories behind each one.

I used to ask for help to get the tree assembled and lighted, but that gives people the "right" to complain about my "excessiveness" when it comes to the tree. So, I prefer to just do it myself and then I don't have to take anyone's crap.

I've thought about doing a long blog post titled, "Stupid Things People Say to Me at Christmas Time." But, I decided it wasn't a good idea.

I will offer this one tip - if you're invited to my home, don't point out that there is a light burned out on the tree. That would fall into the "oh, really, no shit" category. There are thousands of freaking lights on it - did you not notice - OF COURSE some are not working. I don't take time to replace every burned out bulb when I'm assembling the tree. I'd need to start in May if I did that.

I realize if you put two 100 strands on your tree, that's noticeable. Trust me, if you put a few dozen 100 strands on your tree, it's not that big of a deal. The only one who notices is someone who wants to "catch me" in something that's not perfect. News flash - I already know I'm a long way from perfect - I don't need you to point it out.

Love v. Attachment

I've been thinking a lot lately about my relationships with people. This ended up in my email today and it seems appropriate that it came to me at this time. I thought I'd share....

*********

We confuse attachment with love. Attachment is concerned with my needs, my happiness, while love is an unselfish attitude, concerned with the needs and happiness of others....

A relationship free of unrealistic grasping is free of disappointment, conflict, jealousy, and other problems, and is fertile ground for the growth of love and wisdom.

-Kathleen McDonald, "How to Meditate"

Podcasting

I have figured out more about podcasting today. I think I got the necessary feeds set up. I will see what develops with www.artofgraciousliving.com. I've had a few emails from people who like the bread recipe I posted there.

www.patsyterrell.com/aoglpodcast1.mp3 to hear the podcast

Sunday was Not for Rest

I've been going full tilt all day and here at the end of the day I've not accomplished as much as I would like. And, yet, I've done about as much as I can do in one day. At least some things have gotten done.

I'm working on the tree, and still need to get some more invitations for my Christmas party out - ones I have to look up addresses for.

It is cold here - 19 now - and it was 19 when I first looked this morning. I'm not sure how warm it got, but it was not balmy by any means.

I've been glued to the food network tonight off and on - Paula Deen's Christmas show and the gingerbread competition.

I hope by next year that my life is a bit more "normal." If so I'm going to decorate in early November and start entertaining. There just isn't enough time to entertain all in December.

Planting in the Cold

I've been outside planting spring bulbs. I did some the other day and the problem with that is that I couldn't necessarily remember exactly where I planted them and so I'm clueless what is where now. I'm just not a person who can make charts to scale and draw things out. It will be a surprise in the spring.

I'm planting daffodils and tulips mostly, but also some hyacinths and crocus.

It's cold here - 29 at the moment - but this is going to be one of the warmer days we have for the next week so I thought I'd better try to get some of it done. I still have about 40 daffodils and about 20 tulips and I think I'm out of room in the front flower bed. Well, as best I can tell, anyway.

So, I'm not sure what I'm going to do with the rest of them. Maybe something will occur to me. The front is the only place that gets enough sun for them, I think. I planted some in the back a few years ago and they bloomed once or twice - kind of late - but never really took off. So, I'm not sure. Maybe I can stash the bulbs until next year so when I see where the holes are I can fill them in.

Podcasting

Today I have entered the world of Podcasting. OK, so, it's a timid entry since at 6:30 this morning I had no clue how to begin. Now, at 11:30 p.m. I have a podcast online.

Good thing I have a broadcasting degree or it might have taken more days.

We'll see how I enjoy doing this. It certainly plays to my skills given my background in radio.

I just adlibbed this one, but may start to actually write them out. Of course, I want it to sound conversational, so maybe not.

Maybe I'm putting too much thought into it since I'm not even sure I want to continue to do it.

I am passionate about the topic of people making connection with one another. I've written about it here at length, particularly in April when I saw Dr. Robert Putnam speech. The new website, www.artofgraciousliving.com is going to be devoted to how to help people make connection.

I am certain this is critical to our well-being and that it's a skill we've lost. My hope is to use the podcasting format, in addition to the written word, to encourage people along these lines.

Check it out at www.artofgraciousliving.com. I'm open to comments, thoughts, suggestions.

Bingo

Although it's not something I could have imagined myself saying a year ago, I played Bingo tonight. Two of the Compeer volunteers planned a get together tonight and bingo was a central feature. Everyone loved it.

I haven't played bingo since I was a kid. I know it's big business in churches and bingo parlors, but it's just something I haven't done since childhood. But, I did.

They did a great job of putting everything together. They had nice gifts and did snacks and everything. It was a lovely gesture on their part to do the Christmas gathering for the group.

Failure

OK... just for fun... go to www.google.com and type in "failure" and hit the "I'm feeling Lucky" button. It takes you straight to George Bush's bio on the White House page.It made me laugh out loud.

Kansas State Library Card

I learned about the coolest thing today - the Kansas State Library card. They probably have a version of it in your state, and maybe even in your city.

I went to the reference department at lunchtime today to get the Consumer Reports information about what kind of exterior paint to use on my house. (Pratt and Lambert Accolade Eggshell, flat finish white, btw) When I talked with the reference librarian, she gave me a Kansas Library Card and a tour of all it gives you access to.

With this handy dandy little card, which is free to Kansas residents, (thank you, legislators!) you have access to magazines, newspapers, books, audio books, and tons of other reference materials. Genealogy information, history, census records and more are as close as your keyboard.

As I understand it, different libraries have different "packages" of materials, so it could vary tremendously. But, you can search historic New York Times editions and then find the latest Consumer Reports information.

Needless to say, I'm quite infatuated with the whole concept. It's designed to give all libraries - even in rural areas - top notch research and reference capabilities.

It's a fabulous idea, well executed, and a great use of tax money. Thank you to everyone involved for doing something worthwhile in a very smart fashion.

I was just thinking I needed to spend more time online...

What Happens in Nicaragua

One of the things I love about Christmas is getting out the ornaments and remembering the people who gave them to me or the events they commemorate or whatever.

I also have a tendency to make things into Christmas ornaments that were never intended as such.

Tonight in putting up the tree, before I even got the ornaments out, an ornament that had gotten packed away with the tree fell out.

It's an umbrella that came out of a drink. I kept it because it reminds me of a very memorable night in Nicaragua. It makes me think of Matthew and the people we met along the way on that trip.

There are lots of travel trinkets on my tree. It reminds me of how much you rely on those you travel with to have your back, to keep your secrets as you keep theirs, to deal with the crises and celebrate the surprises one finds along the path.

Of course, what happens in Nicaragua stays in Nicaragua... or whatever they say...

Productive Day

I had a very productive day today. I managed to get a number of things from my desk into other people's worlds. That's pretty much my goal on a daily basis. I also got two big projects out the door.

After work I laid down for a nap - pretty rare for me, but I haven't been sleeping very well lately. I go through periods where sleep is elusive and I'm in one now. I go to bed exhausted but wake up dozens of times a night. Eventually, exhausted with the cycle, I just get up. That was the case last night. I finally just got up about 5:30, after only about 3 1/2 hours of sleep. I had a couple hours of sleep this afternoon and fortunately I am still going strong. I have a lot I want to do yet tonight.

I've been hauling things up from the basement. I'm obviously going to break my Dec. 1 rule this year. Generally I like to have all of my Christmas things done by Dec. 1 but that just won't happen this year. Oh well... there's always next year to shoot for.

The trick is going to be after taking a break for the holidays to get back on my organizing track and keep at it so by next year at this time I'll be in full swing for the holidays.

I've decided I'm inviting all of the Altrusans to my home one night in December. That will be fun.

Well, I'm going to go back to working on Christmas things. I do love getting everything out and seeing it all again. I've been collecting Christmas things for years so I have quite a bit of stuff.

I change what I put where every year. I know from talking to other people that they tend to do the same thing in the same place every year. I guess I never have things in the same place so that doesn't work for me.

I've always teased Sondra that every time I'm in her house it's different. Now I seem to be the same way.

Monday is for the Dentist

My Monday was devoted to the dentist. I have two temporary crowns and went in today to get the permanent ones. Well, to speed through a dull story, hours later with my mouth numb and one temporary having been chipped off, I got a new temporary.

I was not happy with the color of the crown. So, I'm paying more and getting an all porcelain one. My dentist is splitting the lab costs of them with me so it's only costing an extra $50 per tooth, but these will show if I smile wide and I don't want them to look like crowns.

So, poof, there goes my money. Unfortunately, this took a long time to figure out and I had not taken a book with me - expecting it would be a quick procedure. Oh well, so it goes. It was very kind of the dentist to split the costs with me because caps are expensive enough to begin with. Yikes!

I called Teresa late and asked if she wanted to have dinner. We have gotten out of the habit of spur of the moment suppers and it was good to see her and hear about her Thanksgiving break.

I shared with her the new track I'm on - to look at my skills and talents and figure out what I should be doing with my life. We'll see where that goes. When I look at what I'm good at, I see many possibilities of what one could do with those things.

However, when I look at what I'm not good at, one that I keep coming back to is a central problem. As I summed it up in my journal the other day, "the norm is a mystery to me." And it is. I don't know how I can ever address that. So, I just have to figure out how to make it a positive.